Pneumatic cushion for automobiles.



E. A. WILCox. lPIIIiUIVIA-TIC CUSHION FOR AUTOMOBILES. APPLICATION FILED FEB. I2. 1914. RENISWED MAR. 26. |915.

Lm@ Patented May 25, .1915.

' I i, 2 SHEETS-SHEET I.

III!

E. A. W'LCOX.

PNEUNIAUC CUSHION FOR AUTOMOBILES. APPUCATION FILED FEB.12.191.4. RENEwEor/IAR.26.19:5.

Ll Eat'ente May 25, 1915.

WHW/J- t E be., lliy i hier..

EDWARD A. WIIJCOX, OF CR'IHAGE, ILLINOIS.

Specieation of Letters Patent.

` Patent May 25, i9i5..

Application filed February 1Q, 1914, Serial No. 818,316. Renewed March 26, 1915. Serial No. 17,237.

To all whom 'it may concern:

Be it known that I, EDWARD A. Willcox, a citizen of the United States, residing at Carthage, in the county of Hancock and State of Illinois, have invented certain new and useful Improvements -in Pneumatic Cushions for Automobiles, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to improvements in automobiles generally, and more particularly to pneumatic cushions. therefor.

The invention has for its object primarily, to overcome the highly objectionable features attaching vparticularly to the type of automobile pneumatic tires now generally in use.

A further object is to provide for dealing with this class of tires so as to compensate for the shock' and rebound action consequent.

upon the use thereof.

A still further object is to carry out the aforesaid ends in a simple, expeditious and effective manner and with facility.l

' The invention therefore consistsof certain insti'unientalities and features of construction substantially as hereinafter fully disclosed and deiindd by the appended claim.

In the accompanying drawings is illustrated the preferred embodiment of my invention, wherein it will be understood that various changes and modifications may be made as to the detailed 'construction and arrangement of parts without departing from the spirit of the invention and in which drawing- Figure l is a fragmental side View of the forwardaxle and adjunctive partsof an automobile of' the heavy type, with my invention applied thereto. Fig. 2 is adetached plan view of my invention upon an enlarged scale. Fig. 3 is a sectional elevation thereof interposed between the leaf' spring and axle of an automobile. Fig. i is a detached perspective vView of the upper bearing member used in connection with my pneumatic cushion in inverted position.

In putting my invention into practice, I employ an outer spherical hollow member or cushion l of substantial resilient texture or heavy fibrous rubber or other suitable material and an inner air inflatable or pneumatic member 2. The inner inflatable inember 2 is suitably introduced into theouter spherical member 1 through a preferably circular opening 3 in the upper part of the latter, of course, in a non-inflated condition,

'5, dished out or formed with concavities 6 and 7 respectively, to conform to the general contour of the opposed surfaces of the spherical memberjor cushion. These cups or bearing-members are formed of-solid metal blocks, the"concavities oi' depressions to be only of a depth to hold Athe spheres effectively or securely in place. These bearings or blocks are suitably bolted or fastened to the axle and body ofy the vehicle, the method of doing which inav be varied to suit the dilferent vehicles or the different axles of the same vehicles. rI`he disclosure shows the plan of attachment to the front axle of the heavier type of automobiles, namely, by suitable init-equipped bolts 8, with their inner headed ends let into sockets 9 in the blocks, themselves being inserted through passages in thc latter and plates 1Q, 10a against which are screwed or bear the nuts of the bolts, the plate 10 being integral with the aXle B.

The blocks or bearings i, 5 are connected together and thus held in suitably assembled position or relation with respect to the cushion or sphere l by means of nutequipped bolts ll threaded in the upper block 5,y its entire thickness, and extended freely or unthrcaded through the block fi t0 allow of freely vertical play of the bolts inflatable member and through which tube. the latter may have pumpen. `therein air in iniiating said member, as will be readily understood. The innerend of the air-conducting tube 14 is secured in position. by suitably applying thereto or seating the saine in a metallic washer or plate l5 let into the cushion or member l, while to the outer end dit) ' of seid tube for securing it in place et that point, is applied c screw-cap 16.

It is believed from what has lbeen adduced the advantages and benefits of my invention have been made apparent, it only being necessary to remark, however, that when e disv turbance or shock occurs or trikes place at the surface, it 'will be received upon the zibsorber including the resilient spherical member or cushion l reinforced resliently by the inner inflated member 2, and accordingly be absorbed thereby audits influence thus be arrested before it would otherwise reach the body or riding part of the vehicle. Thus the riding action of the vehicle is rendered even end smooth, the discomfort to the occupents thereof which would otherwise result is avoided and the Wear and teer upon the machine is reduced tothe minimum.

I claim*- A vehicle of the type described including niecee a resilient ollow spherical member, upper and lower oncaved members applied to the corresponding surfaces of vseid i resilient member, an inlatable resilient member Withn in the lirst named resilient member, seid upper conceived member having avv central depending portion serving es e stopper or plug for the orifice in the upper portion of seid. spherical member, through which seid inner resilient member is inserted, end upper and lower conceved members applied to the corresponding surfaces ci seid Erst named resilient member, seid upper and lower concaved members being applied to the' axle and vehicle body, respectively.

In testimony 'whereof l adir my signature in presence 'of two Witnesses. f

EDWARD A. WLCOX., Witnesses:

Cries. S. Timun, BURTON l), CANNoN, 

